[nzlug] Copying mysql database - without running binary, DB files only

[Howard]

Is is possible to rebuild a mysql database file without the running 
binaries on the system - just db files? i.e. I can't do a mysqldump or 
similar.

I can access the file system fine (from rescue disk etc - but cannot 
boot up on or chroot to it for some reason),

I am assuming the required database files are in /var ?

Anything else I would need to copy across e.g. config files? I assume 
user info is stored in the DBs?

How sensitive would the version of mysql be - would I likely need the 
exact mysql build on the new system?

This is not a critical machine, so I'm prepared to try a few things over 
a few days/weeks... any further advice/suggestions appreciated.

Thanks
Howard